In my last article, I had mentioned that we had told Andy Atkinson not to do anything to the pitch till I speak to him. We now have a good cricket wicket with a greenish tinge to it. I am happy that the Pakistan team management is also backing us on the nature of the wicket, and everybody is really looking forward to the contest that will start on Monday.
It must be remembered that by providing a green wicket, we have not ensured a win for Pakistan. In fact, the bowlers might get a bit too excited by the wicket and try too hard. Bowling on a helpful wicket is not as easy as it seems, and the Pakistan bowlers will have to get their basics right - something they did not do in Multan - if they want to redeem themselves.
As reported in the press, senior PCB officials did have a meeting with the players. However, it was not as though we were pulling them up or asking for explanations. Nobody in Pakistan is happy with the team losing to archrivals India, and the team and the support staff are feeling the heat.
However, this is hardly the time to issue ultimatums or reprimand individual members of the team, and the aim of the meeting was to lift the players mentally and gently point out to them where exactly they are going wrong.
Coming back to Monday's Test, it will be crucial for the hosts to ensure that their batsmen cope on a pitch that helps the bowlers. If India win the toss and put the hosts in, there is every chance that the inexperienced Pakistan line-up will be severely tested by Irfan Pathan and co.
However, the injury to Zaheer Khan will be a blow to the Indians as Ajit Agarkar, who replaces him, has not bowled for quite some time and may need a day or two to get his rhythm. It will also be interesting to see whether they persist with Laxmipathy Balaji, or whether they bring back Ashish Nehra.
I personally feel only Agarkar will come in because captains don't like to tamper with winning combinations. Anil Kumble has joined the squad after a short trip home to see his newly-born son, and he could have a big role to play in the Test, particularly in the second half.
At present I don't see too many changes in the Pakistani batting line-up, but Moin Khan, who is not feeling too bright, will be replaced by Kamran Akmal. Shabbir Ahmed had a problem in his leg and has undergone an MRI. At present, he is tipped to play, so I think the bowling line-up will be Shoaib, Sami, Shabbir, Razzaq and Danish.
There is talk about playing an extra batsmen but I think a leg-spinner would add a bit of variety to the attack.
At the start of the series, everybody was talking about this being a battle between our bowling and India's batting. It has not worked out that way so far, thanks to the flat wickets that have been on offer. The contest might finally start on Monday, and hopefully neither side will disappoint.
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